Man in the North

Abstract

Our North extends for 10,000 kilometers from the western to the eastern boundaries of the country. One-half of the entire territory of the USSR and two-thirds of Russia lie in the cold latitudes. The North is rich. All of the country's diamonds and oil, coal, gas, gold, and platinum are to be found there; all the apatite, nickel, lead, tungsten, titanium, mica. It has incalculable resources of wood and the world's greatest resources of hydroelectric energy and fresh water, But the North is severe. Frosts down to -60" and winds of over 40 meters a second are not uncommon. Although attracting man by its wealth, nature here seems to test his determination, strength, courage, and steadfastness before it yields to him the keys to its treasures.